Western Queensland leaders unite for Assembly in St George
Local government leaders from across Western Queensland will gather in St George from 19-20 August 2025 for the 6th Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) Assembly.
This annual event brings together representatives from across 25 WQAC member councils, alongside senior State and Federal government representatives, as well as from industry, services and the community.
With the theme “As the seasons rise and fall” – a nod to Banjo Paterson’s In Defence of the Bush – the program will explore the resilience, adaptability, and future opportunities of a region that continues to deliver while weathering the peaks and troughs of all seasons across its vast rural and remote areas.
Regardless of the season, the 25 councils, ranging from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the New South Wales border covering 63% of the State, continues to make an impact – that includes contributing a combined $10.84 billion to the economy from just 1.4 per cent of the Queensland’s population!
Host of this year’s event Balonne Shire Mayor and Chair of South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils, Cr Samantha O’Toole, said St George was proud to welcome delegates to Balonne Shire and showcase the region’s hospitality and opportunities.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming our Western Queensland colleagues and delegates including senior State and Federal representatives, to St George,” Mayor O’Toole said.
“Hosting the Assembly allows us to shine a light on our part of the State – our industries, our landscapes, and our communities – and to continue to progress the important work that WQAC is advancing.
Chair of CWQ Remote Area Planning and Development Board and Longreach Region Mayor, Cr Tony Rayner, said the Assembly continued to be a unique platform for connecting regional leaders with high-level decision-makers.
“This year the calibre of speakers and guests continues to highlight the importance of this gathering, as we pursue common goals while ensuring the voices of Western Queenslanders are heard loud and clear all the way to Brisbane and Canberra,” Mayor Rayner said.
“We have an incredibly diverse and resilient region that’s united by common challenges and opportunities which often go unheard of beyond our patch. By bringing everyone together in one place, we can ensure that the priorities of the west remain firmly on the agenda.”
Chair of North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils and Etheridge Shire Mayor, Cr Barry Hughes, said this year’s program was an opportunity to share not just the challenges the region faces, but the incredible value and potential the regions offer the State and the nation.
“Hosting the WQAC Assembly allows us to not only to bring our regional colleagues and elected representatives together, but to highlight firsthand the strength, innovation, and resilience of our communities,” Mayor Hughes said.
“From quantum technology and digital connectivity to mental wellbeing, renewable energy, industry development and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games - we’ve curated a forward-thinking program that showcases the challenges we tackle and the opportunities we’re ready to seize.”
The councils of Western Queensland made the historic step in 2020 to formally unite as the WQAC and ramp up representation and recognition in pursuing common priorities. The WQAC brings together its representative bodies: North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC); Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD); and the South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC).
Visit the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) website at www.wqac.com.au/assembly2025 for all Assembly 2025 information.
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Media enquiries: Aleisha Domrow - aleisha@ascribe.com.au | 0423 116 865
